Water vapor insulation system

ABSTRACT

Systems and techniques are described herein for an insulation system that utilizes a treated gas, such as water vapor, to fill an at least partially transparent cavity that is part of a structure, to provide insulating properties and/or changes in exposure to the sun for a space, proximate to the structure. In some aspects, an insulation system may include a treated gas generation system, which includes at least one of a heating element, a cooling element, or a diffusing element for treating the gas. The system may also include a gas movement system in communication with the gas generation system. The system may further include a gas conduit system in communication with the gas movement system, where the gas movement system causes the treated to be injected into the gas conduit system to change insulation and/or sun exposure characteristics of a space in proximity to the gas conduit system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/820,210, filed on Mar. 16, 2020, entitled “WATER VAPOR INSULATIONSYSTEM,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/818,590, filed Mar. 14, 2019, entitled “WATER VAPOR INSULATIONSYSTEM” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Greenhouses are used worldwide to enhance valuable crop production.Creating and managing a greenhouse controlled environment requires amultitude of systems to operate collaboratively. For example, typicalgreenhouse environments utilize heating, cooling, shading, irrigation,lighting, HVAC, pest management, and various other systems. Greenhouseslose much of their inside heat from areas that have low insulationvalues. Greenhouses are typically built with transparent materials toallow sunlight in for plant photosynthesis. The problem with mosttransparent materials is that they have very low insulation values,causing most greenhouses to have a relatively low insulation value. Inmost cases heating greenhouses during cold temperatures require a lot ofenergy and some very complex heating systems. Because of typically lowinsulation values, cooling greenhouses or similarly enclosed spacesduring times of hotter temperatures can also be complex and inefficient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various techniques will be described with reference to the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a greenhouse insulation system, inaccordance with at least one embodiment;

FIGS. 2 and 3 show illustrative examples of structures in which thedescribed greenhouse insulation system may be utilized, in accordancewith at least one embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor generation system,which may be used in a greenhouse insulation system, in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor generation andextraction system, which may be used in a greenhouse insulation system,in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor generation andextraction system, which may be used in a greenhouse insulation system,in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows another illustrative example of a water vapor conduit,which may be used in a greenhouse insulation system, in accordance withat least one embodiment;

FIGS. 8-11 show different views of example water vapor conduits, whichmay be used in a greenhouse insulation system, in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows another illustrative example of a greenhouse insulationsystem, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows another illustrative example of a greenhouse insulationsystem, in accordance with at least one embodiment; and

FIG. 14 shows an illustrative example of an assembly between a conduitand a transparent surface, which may be used in a greenhouse insulationsystem, in accordance with at least one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present document describes techniques and systems for providing aninsulation system that utilizes two at least partially transparentlayers to create a cavity in which water vapor and/or other gases may beintroduced and removed, to better control temperature and sun exposureof a space below or at least partially enclosed by the insulationsystem. The described systems and techniques are primarily directed togreenhouse applications, in which the system is installed as a roof orat least partially covering a space for growing and cultivating biomaterial. In some cases, the described system may be: more effective,more efficient, require lower maintenance, and/or be more cost effectiveway to cool, heat, and shade greenhouses or other enclosed or partiallyenclosed structures.

In some aspects, the described system may lower the demand and cost ofgreenhouse heating, cooling, and sun exposure control systems. Forheating and cooling, the described techniques utilize an on demand layerof temperature controlled gas, such as water vapor, that may include oneor more agents introduced into the gas. This layer of temperaturecontrolled gas or water vapor may be effective at insulating a structurefrom the suns high heat and from cold temperatures. Greenhouse roofs arevery susceptible to allowing cold in and heat out, especially at nightwhen temperatures drop, which can inhibit optimal growing environmentsfor many plants. In some examples, the described system creates a layeror blanket of water vapor (or other gas) inside of an at least partiallytransparent roof to structure keeping heat in and cold out. As describedherein, the operating cost to produce this water vapor layer may bevastly lower than conventional heating systems.

For cooling of greenhouses, the described system utilizes two methods.First, the system uses a blanket of cold fog, water vapor, or other gas.This blanket of cold fog is distributed between two transparent layers,which comprise a roof or covering structure, walls, and/or otherstructural components of a structure used to control temperature. Thiscold layer of water vapor may protect and insulates the greenhousesenvironment from outside high temperatures. In some cases, in additionor in the alternative to using the desi beds system as a roof orcovering layer for a growing space, the described gas cavity may beformed around, underneath, and/or through a growing space, such as in aconventional building or greenhouse.

The described systems and techniques may also provide for a moreeffective and efficient way to provide shade or a sun barrier to a spaceeither below or proximate to the described insulation system. In manygreenhouses, shade systems are used for the purpose of cooling downtemperatures and also for the use of blocking sun rays that damagevarious plants. These systems are vital to keeping some plants alive.Current shade systems can include washable shade paint that is sprayedon the outside of the greenhouse, shade cloth that is attached to theexterior of the roof or hung from the inside of the structure, and shadecloth systems that can be used for both shade and heat retention,including automated shade cloths that can be opened and closed or movedusing mechanical devices. These conventional shade systems are typicallyexpensive, high maintenance, and typically must be replaced often. Forexample, the disadvantages to spraying a greenhouse or similar structurewith shade paint is that it is labor intensive. In addition to applyingthe paint, it must be removed. In order to completely remove these typesof paint, workers must manually brush and wash the paint off. Theremoval process is abrasive and often degrades the integrity of roofmaterial. Some disadvantages of using shade cloth include the fact thatit is also labor intensive and while installing and removing the shadecloth, the greenhouse is often degraded because of abrasion. Somedisadvantages of a mechanical shade system include cost andmaintenance/replacement of moving parts to keep the system operatingproperly. These systems can require a great deal of maintenance, suchthat various parts often need to be replaced.

Although these systems provide benefits in some cases and are effective,these systems come at great cost. In addition to keeping heat fromcoming in through the roof or other structural component of agreenhouse/growing space, the described system may provide cooling andshade by blocking exposure to the sun. In some aspects, the water vaporcreates up to close to 100% humidity within the roof, reflectinginfrared sun rays which cause high greenhouse temperatures and harm tosome plants. The described systems and techniques work as an activeinsulation cooling layer as well as a shade system to effectively cooland shade greenhouses.

While described primarily in the context of greenhouses of similarpurposed structures, in some aspects, the described systems andtechniques may be utilized in the building of any structure whereheating, cooling, and/or shading is desired and/or where an at leastpartially transparent enclosure is appropriate.

In some examples, an ultrasonic diffuser is employed to produce watervapor. In some aspects, a heat element or heating process mayadditionally or alternatively be used to generate water vapor or othergas for injecting in to the described system. A double layer at leastpartially transparent system may be communicatively coupled to thediffuser or other water vapor generation system, to transport andposition the water vapor proximate to a growing or other space desiredto be insulated or shaded from sun exposure. The double layer system mayform a housing or conduit for the water vapor to travel within andprovide insulation and/or shading properties. In some aspects, thedouble layer system may at least partially wrap around or enclose astructure to provide a layer of water vapor or other gas, thereforeproviding a translucent insulator. The system may further utilize an airmovement system to rapidly deploy and remove water vapor in and out ofconduit system, providing a versatile system.

In some examples, an insulation system may include a double layerstructure that is at least partially transparent or translucent, to letlight through the double layer structure. Each of the layers may be madefrom glass, polycarbonate, or other similar material, in which thematerial itself is hydrophobic, or includes a hydrophobic coating,constructed in a way that allows a gas, to rapidly fill and empty thevoid cavities in between the two layers. Water vapor or fog producedfrom an ultrasonic diffuser may be deployed within the open cavitybetween the double layer structure for the purpose of cooling, heatingand or protection/ shading inside of or below the structure. In somecases, the system may also include a combined vacuum and blowerassembly, such that the system can rapidly transition from a highconcentration to a low concentration of gas (e.g., high to low humidity)in the camber formed by the double layer system. The described systemsand techniques may rapidly clear or evacuate the gas and remove moisturefrom within the open cavity of the double layer structure and change theinsulating properties of the structure, on demand.

In some cases, a temperature control system may be introduced to controlthe temperature of the gas (e.g., water vapor) introduced into thedouble layer or other gas transportation system. In some aspects, aheating element may provide both the functionality of generating watervapor and controlling the temperature of the water vapor. In othercases, the gas introduction or production system may be separate from oroperate independently of the temperature control system.

In some cases, the water vapor may be generated by other processes, suchas atomizing or nebulizing water using various known processes, or byheating water to produce steam. In some aspects, water with addedinhibitors, such as Hydrogen peroxide, hydrophobic compounds, and orgrowth inhibitors may additionally or alternatively be used to provideother benefits. These benefits may include reducing degradation of thedouble layer conduit structure by employing growth inhibitors in thegas, reducing mold or other unwanted substances from entering andincreasing in the conduit structure, and so on.

In some aspects, other non-transparent gasses may be used in place ofwater vapor or fog to enable changing the insulation characteristicsand/or sun blocking characteristics of the described system. In someaspects, the non-transparent gas may include noble gasses that are inertand nontoxic, such as argon, neon, krypton, neon, and xenon, or othergasses, such as carbon dioxide. In some aspects, multiple gases may besued in the same system, either as a mixture of different gases to yieldcertain insulating and/or UV resilience, or may be sued at differenttimes to provide different insulating and sun protection characteristicsdue to changing conditions, time of day, season, etc.

In some cases, the described techniques may address one or more of thefollowing challenges faced by current greenhouse systems. First,transparent materials used in current greenhouses typically have lowinsulation values and provide low temperature retention. Second, manygreenhouse crops require expensive and high maintenance shade systemsfor crop health and heat retention. Third, there are generally highdemands for greenhouse heating and cooling systems. The describedsystems and techniques address one or more of these problems byproviding an at least partially transparent insulating system thatprovides a high insulating value, and lowers the strain and demand ofexisting greenhouse heating and cooling systems by providing aneffective and new way to maintain a controlled environment with lowenergy cost.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a greenhouse insulation system 100.System 100 may include one or more gas or water vapor systems 128, 130that inject and remove water vapor from an at least partiallytransparent cavity or space 104, 116, illustrated as a roof or cap of astructure, defined by at least two layers 106, 118, and 108, 120. Insome aspects, system 100 may include one water vapor systems 128, 130,which include a gas or water vapor supply 102, 114, that provide thegas, via a channel, tube, pipe, etc. 110, 122, treated as describedbelow, to one or more cavities or conduits 104, 116 such that the cavityforms channel in which air vapor or other gas can be injected and thenremoved via forcing air or other gas containing less or no water orother substance (e.g., purging or evacuating the treated gas withanother gas). In other cases, the system 100 may include a single watervapor systems, such that the cavity 104, 116 is directional, wherebywater vapor may be injected into the cavity and removed from the cavityin one or multiple directions. In some aspects, one or more of the watervapor systems may include one or more aspects of the water vaporgeneration system 400, water vapor extraction system 500, or water vapormovement system 600, described below in reference to FIGS. 4-6 , and/orthe cavity or conduit described in reference to FIGS. 7-11 .

In some aspects, a single continuous cavity or conduit, defining spaces104, 116, may be formed by two layers of material. The material mayinclude a rigid structure made of glass or plastic panels or sheets, ormay include malleable or pliable materials, such as flexible plastic orpolycarbonate sheets, such that form a flexible or semi rigid structure.It should be appreciated that any transparent, partially transparent, ortranslucent material or combination of materials may be used to similareffect. In some aspects, the cavity or conduit that is designed tocontain the water vapor or gas may be formed as part of a covering orroof type panel of a building or structure. In some cases, the conduitmay encompass most or all of an exterior facing surface of the panel orside of the structure. In other cases, the conduit may only encompass aportion of a panel or side of a structure (e.g., one or part of one ormore cavities 104, 116 separated by optional barrier 126). In somecases, the conduit may be formed in the roof (one or more panels, whichcan be planar or non-planar), in walls 112, 124, doors, or othercomponents or portions thereof of a growing structure or building. Insome cases, multiple different conduits 104, 116 may be formed on theroof or other wall of panel of a structure, to provide for moreflexibility in what gas or content of water vapor is injected into eachrespective cavity 104, 116. In this example, different levels ofinsulation and/or sun protection may be provided to different aspects orsurfaces 106, 118 that face different directions, to optimize insulationand sun protection, due to weather (e.g., clouds), movement of the sunthroughout the day, and for various other reasons.

FIGS. 2-3 show illustrative examples of structures in which thedescribed insulation system may be utilized. FIG. 2 illustrates astructure 200 having a planar roof 202, walls 204 and an opening 206,whereas FIG. 3 illustrates a structure 300 having a curved or non-planarroof 302, with shorter walls 304, a partially enclosed wall 306 and adoor or opening 308. It should be appreciated that the describedinsulation system may be employed in a variety of different structures,such as structures 200 and/or 300, or various other structures notdescribed herein, varying in any of multiple different ways that thestructures depicted. The cavity in which water vapor or other gases areinjected and removed may include a rigid structure made of glass orplastic panels or sheets, or may include malleable or pliable materials,such as flexible plastic or polycarbonate sheets, such that form aflexible or semi rigid structure. In some cases, the describedinsulation system may be employed in residential building, office orcommercial buildings, and really any structure in which insulationand/or sun protection is desired.

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor generation system400, which may include one or more aspects of systems 128, 130 of thesystem 100 described above in reference to FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 gives anexample of the components of a system to produce a treated (e.g.,temperature, gaseous components, and/or humidity) gas that can be movedor removed from an open cavity or conduit, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, making up the roof and/or walls of a structure. The water vaporgeneration system 400 may include an ultrasonic diffuser 404, such aswith multiple discs, and a reservoir 418 holding hot water, cold water,or some other fluid, which may be temperature treated (e.g., heated orcooled) by a heating system 402 and/or cooling system 406. In somecases, the ultrasonic diffuser 404 may vaporize the liquid held in tank418 to produce a gaseous substance (e.g., water vapor) that may fill theremaining space 420 in the reservoir, where negative air pressure may beemployed to move the gas into open cavities or conduits, such asillustrated in FIG. 1 , through delivery conduit or channel 422. A vaportransmission system consisting of louvers, dampers, and/or valves 424may be implemented to control the flow of vapor through delivery channel422 moving into open cavities. A centrifugal and/or axial fan 408 may beutilized to pull air or gas through a filter 410 and then push the airinto reservoir 418 creating negative pressure to move vapor out of thereservoir 418 into the open cavities through channel(s) 422. System 400may also include water management components, such as a water pump 414,which keeps the aqueous solution in the reservoir 418 moving anddelivers fresh water (or other liquid) to the reservoir 418 through afiltration system 412, which may demineralize incoming water or liquid.System 400 may also include one or more peristaltic pumps 416, which maybe used to introduce hydrogen peroxide, acid, base, and or growthinhibitors into the solution to be diffused into the conduits throughdelivery channel(s) 422.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor generation andextraction 500, which may be part of the system 100 described above inreference to FIG. 1 . System 500 may perform a dehumidification processto manipulate the gas used on the conduits or cavities of FIG. 1 toprovide changes in shading and insulation properties of surfaces of astructure enclosing a growing or other space. System 500 may allow forrapid removal of gas or vapor within open cavities. In some aspects,system 500 may incorporate one or more aspects of system 400, with theaddition of a dehumidifier or filter sub-system 504 that may furthercondition or alter properties of a gas that is used to change theinsulation and/or sun protection of one or more structures. System 500may include a gas supply system or vapor generation system 502, aprimary conduit 506 which may be filled with the gas to changeinsulation and/or sun protection properties of the conduit, and adehumidification or air conditioning system 504, communicatively coupledby partially or fully enclosed transport channels. System 500 may alsoinclude a number of dampers, louvers, relief valves, and/or flow valves516-530 that may control the flow of gas in order to manipulate thedirection and flow of gas through a partially or fully enclosed conduitsystem.

In some cases, system 500 may also include one or more axial orcentrifugal fans 508, 512, 514 that may help enable flow of the gasthrough the conduit system of system 500. These fans may provide flow tomove vapor or gas out of cavities, such as described above in referenceto FIG. 1 through control points such as dampers, louvers, and/or valves516-530, and through tubes or channels and into a dehumidificationsystem 504. In some cases, the gas or vapor may be directed through adehumidification system 504 and an axial and/or centrifugal fan 508. Thedehumidified or conditioned gas may then be directed back into opencavities through control points of louvers, dampers, and/or valves.These components may be used as a system to rapidly remove vapor anddehumidify cavities, as illustrated and described in reference to FIGS.1 and 4 above. In some cases, one or more air filters 510 may beprovided to remove particulates and other unwanted substances fromambient air or other gas source, before entering the conduit system ofsystem 500.

In some aspects, in any of the described examples herein, thedehumidification process, or extraction of a treated gas from theinsulating and sun protection cavity may be additionally oralternatively accomplished by forcing another gas through the cavity topurge the cavity of the treated gas. In some cases, a dehumidified gasmay be used, such a dehumidified air (e.g., below a certain watercontent). In other cases, an inert gas may be used, such as argon, or agas with some type of anti- microbial agent to remove unwantedcontaminates from the cavity.

It should be appreciated that the number, arrangement, dimensions, andrelative physical locations of certain components of system 500, such asvalves 518-530, fans 508, 512, 514 and sub-systems 502, 506, 508 areonly given by way of illustrative example. Other configurations,including different numbers of certain components, modifications ofcertain subsystems 502, 504, 506, etc. are contemplated herein.

FIG. 6 shows another illustrative example of a gas or water vaporgeneration and extraction system 600, which may be part of the system100 described above in reference to FIG. 1 . System 600 may includeaspects of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, and/or 500 described above inreference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 . System 600 includes a differentapplication or system to dehumidify cavities. The illustrated variationuses centrifugal and/or axial fans 622, 628 to rapidly force filteredair or gas into cavities. This process works together with a wetvacsystem, which may include a blower/centrifugal fan 622 that may be usedto push air (indicated via arrows) to evacuation tank or reservoir 604with the use of one or more values, such as one-way valves 624, 626 thatmay be opened when other values 616 are closed, to enable the blower 622to direct the gas in the chamber of channel 602 to reservoir 604. Innormal operation, valves 624, 626 may be closed, and valve 616 may beopened to allow gas, which may conditioned in one or more ways includingtemperature, humidity, demineralization, to flow (indicated via arrows)into chamber 602 to provide desired insulating and sun protectionproperties. In some aspects, the centrifugal and/or axial fans push gasor vapor out of cavities as the wetvac will draw vapor out of cavitiesand collect moisture.

In some aspects, proximate to valve 626, a y or other fitting 618, suchas formed at 2% grade, may disposed in the evacuation channel to helpfacilitate vacuuming and moisture extraction of void between doublelayer structure.

In some cases a cooling system 606 and/or a heating system 612 mayprovide temperature conditioning of a liquid to be introduced into thegas held in reservoir 608. In other cases, cooling system 606 and/orheating system 612 may directly condition the gas to be introduced intochamber 602. Similarly, a demineralization system or device 610 may becommunicatively coupled to reservoir 608 to remove unwanted substancesfrom the gas (e.g., demineralize) contained in reservoir 608. Asdescribed in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , various other components, suchas air filters 614, 620, various other valves, etc. may also be sued insystem 600 to a similar effect.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative example of a water vapor conduit 700, whichmay be used as part of systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and/or 600described in reference to FIGS. 1-6 . In some aspects, conduit 700 mayinclude a square or round or partially round tube 702 for deliveringwater vapor or other gas to a cavity 704 formed by two at leastpartially transparent surfaces or sheets 706, 708. In some cases, thetube portion 702 may include a number of openings 710 for diffusing thewater vapor into the cavity 704 in a more uniform way. In some aspects,the cavity 704 and/or tube portion 702 may be any number of shapes, andmay be made of a variety of materials including polycarbonate, plastic,glass, or other substances.

In some aspects, the deliver tube or channel 702 may be disposed alongone dimension of a cavity 704 in which a treated gas is to beintroduced. In other cases, one or more other channels 712 may also beproved proximate to the cavity to change or modify the characteristics(e.g., speed, uniformity, etc.) of the gas into the cavity 704. In someaspects valves or other similar structures may further be utilized toenable switching which delivery tubes 702, 710 are active at one time,so as to enable more configuration of different types, speed, etc., ofdeliver of one or more treated gases into cavity 704. In some cases, twodifferent treated gasses may be introduced into the cavity at the sametime or in temporal proximity to alone another.

In some aspects cavity may be fully enclosed, such that the only openingto anything outside of the cavity is through openings 710 in one or moredelivery tubes or channels 702, 712. In other cases, cavity may includeone or more additional openings, such that can controllable be openedand closed. These additional openings may be disposed on a surface ofstructural element 708, such as that may face an internal space to beinsulated. In some cases, when the described systems are used for agreenhouse or other growing type structure, the additional openings maybe positioned so that the gas may exit towards the growing space, suchas to provide humidity to the growing space when less insulation isdesired, and thus the cavity 704 is evacuated of humidified gas.

FIGS. 8-11 show different views of an example water vapor conduit, suchas conduit 700 described above in reference to FIG. 7 , which may beused as part of systems 100, 200, 300 400, 500, and/or 600 described inreference to FIGS. 1-6 above. In some aspects, the tube portion 802,902, 1002, 1102 and layers forming the cavity 804, 806, 904, 906, 1004,1006, 1104, 1106 may be separate pieces, such as in devices 900, 1000,or 1100, or may be formed together, such as in device 800. In somecases, the cavity pieces may be removably attached to the tube portion,to enable adaption of the system to different shapes, sizes, structures,etc.

FIG. 12 shows another illustrative example of a greenhouse insulationsystem 1200. In some aspects, greenhouse insulation system 1200 mayinclude a water vapor or gas generation and/or extraction system 1202,which may incorporate one or more aspects of water vapor or gasgeneration and/or extraction systems 400, 500, and/or 600 describedabove in reference to FIGS. 4, 5 , and/or 6. In some aspects, system1200 may also utilize one or more conduit structures, such as conduits700, 800, 900, 1000, and or 1100, as described above in reference toFIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 .

In the example illustrated, gas generation and/or extraction system 1202may include a gas preparation or conditionings system/reservoir 1204,which as described above may include a fan or air movement device orsystem 1206 for intaking air or other gas into the a reservoir 1206, airfilters or fans 1208, 1210, 1224 coupled with valves 1212, 1214, 1226also for intaking air or other gas, and a valve 1216 for controllingflow into a cavity 1218 to be filled with a treated gas. In the exampleof system 1200, the treated gas may be delivered to the cavity 1218,which may contain a number of dividers or partitions 1220, with one ormore openings 1222 in one or more of the partitions, to change themovement of the treated gas in the cavity 1208. In some cases, thenumber, shape and position of the partitions, and/or the shape, numberof openings, and the spacing of the openings along each partition may beselected to produce a desired flow of a treated gas throughout cavity1208. In some cases, the partitions and openenings may be configured toreduce movement of the treated gas through the cavity 1218, and/or toensure or promote a more uniform disbursement of the treated gasthroughout cavity, such as by placing the partitions in a certainphysical relation to one or more openings that supply the treated gas tocavity 1218.

FIG. 13 another illustrative example of a greenhouse insulation system1500. In some aspects, greenhouse insulation system 1500 may include awater vapor or gas generation and/or extraction system 1502, which mayincorporate one or more aspects of water vapor or gas generation and/orextraction systems 400, 500, and/or 600 described above in reference toFIGS. 4, 5 , and/or 6. In some aspects, system 1500 may also utilize oneor more conduit structures, such as conduits 700, 800, 900, 1000, and or1100, as described above in reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 . Insome aspects, system 15400 may include one or more aspects of system,1200 described above, and for the sake of brevity, those similar aspectswill not be described again here.

In example system 1300, a gas (e.g., water vapor) generation and/orextraction system 1302 may deliver treated gas to one or more cavities1304 (illustrated with a top or cap of the roof and exterior surface ofwalls missing for explanatory purposes) which may define at least aportion of the roof 1306 and one or more walls 1308, 1310 of a growingor greenhouse structure. The one or more cavities 1304 may include oneor more partitions 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318, each with one or moreopenings 1320 that may be designed to control the flow of one or moretreated gases within the cavity 1304. As illustrated a single cavity1304 may be defined across the roof structure 1306 and one or more ofwall structures 1308, 1310, with each partition 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318spanning a cross section of the cavity 1304. In some aspects, thepartitions 1312, 1314, 1316, 1318 may be made of an at least partiallytransparent material, such as plastic, glass, polycarbonate sheets,etc., and may be rigid to form part of the roof structure, or may be atleast partially flexible in the case that the partitions 1312, 1314,1316, 1318 are not forming a supporting component of the roof 1306.

It should be appreciated that in any of the above examples of systems1200 or 1300, the partitions may take any of a variety of shapes, sizes,forming different cross sections, occupying a whole or part of acavities, etc., while providing the functionality of modifying the flowof a treated gas through one or more cavities of an insulation systemand/or building structure.

FIG. 14 shows different views 1400 a and 1400 b of an example anassembly 1400 between a conduit and a transparent surface, which may beused in a greenhouse insulation system, such as any of the systemdescribed above. Assembly 1400 may be an example of a junction betweenone or more surfaces that form a cavity in which treated gas may beinjected and/or evacuated, and a delivery channel that is used totransport the treated gas or water vapor to the cavity, such as from agas generation and/or evacuation system, as also described above.

Assembly 1400 may any of a variety of fasteners to couple a transparent,planar or other structure 1402 to a duct or gas transportation channel1404 (shown cut away across axis 1420, but would extend to form a circleor oval to connect to a similar structure across axis 1420, slightlyless than 360 degrees to accommodate a similar transparent or partiallytransparent structure disposed in parallel to structure 1402). It shouldbe appreciated that assembly 1400 is only given by way of example, andthat various other fasteners or fasting systems or techniques may beutilized to a similar effect. In the illustrated example, transparentstructure 1402 may be fastened or secured to duct 1404 via an angledbracket 1406 that is coupled to each of the duct 1404 and transparentstructure 1402 via fasteners 1408 and washers 1410, so as to from anairtight seal (or partially airtight seal) between the transparentstructure 1402 and duct 1404. This similar structure may be duplicatedon the side opposite of the duct 1404 so as form an enclosed spaceincluding the interior of the duct 1402 and a space between two planaror parallel transparent structure's 1402.

In some aspects, the described system and techniques may include one ormore of the following features.

System that manipulates gas produced by an ultrasonic diffuserconsisting of multiple diffuser discs to produce a gas or water vaporhaving a micron measurement of 5 or less.

System utilizing y fitting at 2% grade for vacuuming and moistureextraction of void between double layer structure.

Intake system for open cavity utilizing automatic air dampers in orderto control flow of gas during gas injection or filling operations andmoisture extraction operations.

System utilizing a water chiller to cool water used by ultrasonicdiffusers in order to create a cooled gas, for the purpose of greenhousecooling.

System utilizing a water heater to heat water used by ultrasonicdiffusers in order to create a warmed or heated water vapor or gas forthe purpose of greenhouse heating.

System utilizing dye within water used by ultrasonic diffusers to createa darkened colored fog, for the purpose of greenhouse shading.

System using hydrogen peroxide within water used by ultrasonic diffusersto treat water and prevent the growth of algae and other undesirablegrowth.

System utilizing a water demineralization process for water used byultrasonic diffusers in order to prevent mineral buildup with system.

System utilizing cylindrical tubing to irrigate water vapor to system'sopen cavity.

System utilizing cylindrical tubing to enable moisture to drain back toreservoir.

System utilizing transparent/clear supports layers to maintain an opencavity between the clear layers.

System utilizing tubing with holes and or slots in order to create apassageway for a rapid moving air for the purpose of dehumidificationwithin open cavity of double layer structure.

System utilizing vapor/gas moving between two layers to increaseinstallation value of a structure.

System utilizing cooled vapor/gas moving between two layers to coolstructure.

System utilizing warmed vapor/gas moving between two layers to heatstructure.

A method of changing insulation of an at least partially transparentstructure, the method including treating a gas by at least one ofheating, cooling, or introducing a an aqueous substance into the gas togenerate a treated gas; providing the gas to an at least partiallytransparent conduit system to increase an insulation characteristic ofthe structure, wherein the at least partially transparent conduit systemforming part of a component of the at least partially transparentstructure; and evacuating the gas from the at least partiallytransparent conduit system to at least one of increase ultra violetradiation through the at least partially transparent conduit system ordecrease the insulation characteristic of the structure. In some cases,the method may further include treating the gas by heating water or anaqueous solution proximate to the gas to generate water or other type ofvapor. In some cases, the method may further include evacuating the gasfrom the at least partially transparent conduit system by injecting atleast one of a dehumidified gas or an inert gas into the at leastpartially transparent conduit system.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments ofthe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essentialto the practice of the invention.

Embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, including the bestmode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variationsof those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expectskilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate and theinventors intend for embodiments of the present disclosure to bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly,the scope of the present disclosure includes all modifications andequivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended heretoas permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of theabove-described elements in all possible variations thereof isencompassed by the scope of the present disclosure unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An insulation system, comprising: a gas generationsystem comprising a cooling element, and at least one of a heatingelement or a diffusing element, wherein the gas generation systemconditions gas through at least one of heating, cooling, or diffusing aliquid in combination with the gas to produce conditioned gas; and a gasconduit system in communication with the gas generation system, whereinupon the conditioned gas being injected into the gas conduit system orremoved from the gas conduit system, at least one of an insulationcharacteristic or a ultraviolet exposure characteristic of a space inproximity to the gas conduit system is changed.
 22. The system of claim21, wherein the liquid comprises water.
 23. The system of claim 21,wherein the gas conduit system forms at least part of a roof of agreenhouse structure.
 24. The system of claim 21, wherein the gasconduit system forms at least part of at least on wall of a greenhousestructure.
 25. The system of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of thegas conduit system comprises an at least partially transparent material.25. The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one fan element,a vacuum element, or a valve element that causes the conditioned gas tobe injected into the at least a portion of the gas conduit system. 26.The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one fan element, avacuum element, or a valve element that causes the conditioned gas to beat least partially removed from at least a portion of the gas conduitsystem.
 27. The system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the fanelement, the vacuum element, or the valve element causes the conditionedgas to be removed from the gas conduit system by injecting at least oneof dehumidified air or an inert gas into the gas conduit system.
 28. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the gas conduit system comprises a pluralityof chambers and at least one valve that controls flow of the conditionedgas into individual chambers of the plurality of chambers.
 29. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the gas conduit system comprises at leastone tubular chamber in communication with a cavity formed by twosubstantially planar transparent members.
 30. A method of conditioningan at least partially transparent structure, the method comprising:treating, by a gas generation system, a gas by cooling and at least oneof heating or introducing an aqueous substance into the gas, to generatea treated gas; providing the gas to an at least partially transparentconduit system to at least one of increase an insulation characteristicof the at least partially transparent structure or decrease ultravioletradiation to the at least partially transparent structure, wherein theat least partially transparent conduit system forming part of acomponent of the at least partially transparent structure; andevacuating the treated gas from the at least partially transparentconduit system to at least one of increase ultraviolet radiation throughthe at least partially transparent conduit system or decrease theinsulation characteristic of the at least partially transparentstructure.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein treating the gas furthercomprises heating water proximate to the gas to generate water vapor,wherein the treated gas comprises the water vapor.
 32. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising evacuating the treated gas from the atleast partially transparent conduit system by injecting at least one ofa dehumidified gas or an inert gas into the at least partiallytransparent conduit system.
 33. A method of changing an insulationcharacteristic or an ultraviolet exposure characteristic of a structure,the method comprising: treating, by a gas generation system, a volume ofgas by cooling the gas to generate a treated gas; providing, by a gasmovement system, the treated gas to a conduit system forming part of acomponent of the structure to change at least one of the insulationcharacteristic or the ultraviolet exposure characteristic of a space atleast partially enclosed by the structure; and evacuating the treatedgas, by the gas movement system, from the conduit system to change atleast one of the insulation characteristic or an ultraviolet exposurecharacteristic of the space at least partially enclosed by thestructure.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein treating the gas furthercomprises introducing an aqueous substance into the volume of gas togenerate the treated gas.
 35. The method of claim 33, the method furthercomprising evacuating the treated gas from the at least partiallytransparent conduit system by injecting at least one of a dehumidifiedgas or an inert gas into the at least partially transparent conduitsystem.